Main Engine Cut Off T+312: Starship Flight 11, Space Policy, and Priorities (with Miles O’Brien)
Oct 17, 2025
Miles O'Brien, a veteran science journalist and space analyst, dives into the latest from Starship Flight 11, highlighting its partial success and the challenges of lunar refueling. The discussion shifts to NASA's budget priorities amidst potential leadership changes, including Jared Isaacman's rumored interest in the NASA Administrator role. O'Brien raises alarms over workforce cuts at NASA and emphasizes the geopolitical stakes of lunar exploration, particularly if China makes strides at the South Pole. They also touch on the implications of SpaceX's evolving communication strategy and future ambitions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Starship's Promise Versus Real-World Timelines
- Starship shows enormous potential but still faces major technical and schedule uncertainties.
- Miles doubts Starship will deliver to NASA in time to meet near-term lunar deadlines.
China's Long-Term Pace Changes The Stakes
- A Chinese lunar landing at the South Pole could change strategic dynamics and create de-facto zones of influence.
- Miles warns the U.S. struggles with short electoral cycles while China plans decades ahead.
Insist On Transparency For Publicly Funded Work
- Demand greater transparency from companies building taxpayer-critical hardware like Starship.
- Miles recommends changing contracts to require more media and public visibility into developments.